Operation Manual; 3.4 Choose Input Wire ; 3 Setup- Page 7

page 7

CTs Multi-Channel 

Power Amplifiers

Operation Manual

3.4 Choose Input Wire 
and Connectors

Figure 3.3 shows connector pin assignments for balanced wiring, and Figure 
3.4 shows connector pin assignments for unbalanced wiring. 

When possible, use balanced wiring for signal input, which provides better 
rejection of unwanted noise and hum. For more information, refer to the 
Crown 

Amplifier Application Guide,

 available online at www.crownaudio.com

NOTE: Custom wiring should only be performed by qualified per-
sonnel.

Figure 3.3  Balanced Input 

Connector Wiring

Figure 3.4  Unbalanced Input 

Connector Wiring

3 Setup

3.5 Choose Output Wire and
Connectors

Crown recommends using professionally constructed, high-
quality, two- or four-conductor, heavy gauge speaker wire and connectors. 
You may use terminal forks or bare wire for your output connectors (see Fig-
ure 3.5). CTs amplifier terminal strips accept up to 10 AWG terminal forks 
which fit over a #8 screw. For best results, Crown recommends Panduit part 
#PV10-10LF-L or equivalent terminal fork. Screw spacing is shown in Figure 
3.5. 

To connect outputs, first remove the touch-proof cover plate covering the ter-
minal strip by removing the screw which holds it in place.

To prevent the possibility of short-circuits, wrap or otherwise insulate exposed 
loudspeaker cable and connectors. Also, a touch-proof cover plate, which 
covers the terminal strips, is provided to help prevent short circuits. The cover 
plate should be reinstalled after connecting outputs.

Suggested below are guidelines to select the appropriate size of wire based on 
the distance from amplifier to speaker. Check with local code as this may vary.

                                Distance 

Wire Size

                              up to 25 ft (7.6 m)

16 AWG

                           26-40 ft (7.9-12.2 m)

14 AWG

                          41-60 ft (12.5-18.3 m)

12 AWG

                            Over 60 ft (18.3 m)

10 AWG

CAUTION

: 

Never connect the speaker return to the chassis of the 

amplifier, or damage to the amplifier may result.

CAUTION: Never use shielded cable for output wiring.

Figure 3.5 Output Connector Wiring

(Typical of two channels)

See the Crown 

Amplifier Appli-

cation Guide

, available online at 

www.crownaudio.com, for pin 
assignments for commonly 
used connector types.

Output panel 

shown with 

touch-proof 

cover plate 

removed.

NOTE: CTs 8200 is shown. Some CTs 4200 features are in different locations.